Antico Borgo Petralia lies beautifully high on 650 m, between the Ionian Sea and the living craters…read moreof Etna. Both present for your eyes while having breakfast, dinner or take a swim in the pool. The great Sicilian nature surrounds you at this family own hotel, just outside the town of Zafferana, a region famous for its honey. You will find a hotel with a touch of country style, where everything is in perfect order, without striving for luxury. As soon as you arrive you are met and welcomed by one of the family members and this is one of the great advantages with a stay here. You are met with openness, respect and at the same time taking care of in a very warm and generous way. You can come here and spend your days relaxing by the pool or as a base for trips up to the top of Etna, down to the beaches of the Mediterranean See or go wherever you like to meet the Etna Land. The rooms are very convenient with the air conditioning working perfectly. Breakfast includes in a rich way everything you expect in a place like Sicily. In the evening dinner is served, very tasteful with again a certain rustic feeling. There is of course no place that suits everyone in taste and preference, but Antico Borgo Petralia covers everything except being a swinging lively and eruptive arena. The last thing though not really true as Etna constantly makes herself present. But no, you don't have to be afraid of lava coming to catch you. Antico Borgo Petralia is built on the side of a rock high over where lava streams, if it should come further than to Valle di Bove, the huge valley above, which historically swallows most of the lava. As a frequent traveller in Sicily I can warmly recommend Antico Borgo Petralia. It is one of the best hotels on the Island, when you prefer to share its richness, beauty and dynamic power.

Gorgeous Hotel that sits just above Acquamarina beach and overlooks the Tyrrhenian sea. Our…read moreexperience was incredible from the moment we walked in. We were greeted by gracious hotel staff that offered us champagne to enjoy on the rooftop terrace. When you walk out onto the terrace, you get the most incredible views. They also have a hot tub on the rooftop. The main lobby of the hotel small but includes a dining area where you eat breakfast and a small wine cellar. The receptionist are great and can book any events or make restaurant reservations for you. The rooms are very clean and spacious compared to a lot of the other hotels in the area. Overall, a wonderful hotel with some of the most beautiful views of Tropea. I highly recommend staying here on your next trip.

A boutique hotel in Tropea overlooking the Tyrrhenian sea that has it all....and then some!…read more Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood a few short blocks from the main Piazza, The Hotel Rocca Della Sena, is an exquisitely appointed 15-room boutique hotel with sweeping, panoramic views of the sea and every ammenity that travelers would want to experience when planning an authentic Italian seaside holiday in true Italian tradition and comfort. Having come from Sorrento after a week's visit, it is obvious to me that the Calabria coastal region is the best kept secret of Italy. The medieval history, architecture, piazza, churches, food and warmth of the local people beckon you to stay, enjoy, be nurtured and rejuvenated by all that southern Italy has to offer. Wake up to the sound of the sea and enjoy the hotel's outstanding breakfast selection with every choice of fresh, local foods that are both, extensive, delicious and characteristic of this region. All this with views of the sea from a position perched high above the cliffs. An ideal location to walk to the grand piazza, which is perhaps the most charming, piazza I have seen in all of Italy with it's many medieval buildings, cobblestone streets that meander throughout the town, taking you through dim lit alleyways that boast one market, restaurant and boutique after another. Here you will find the multi-generational locals who embrace all tourists with open arms and wide smiles. Though English is limited, the body language says it all...." Benvenuto nella nostra città e apprezzare tutto ciò che abbiamo da offrire . Siamo molto orgogliosi di Tropea e la sua ricca storia." (translated: welcome to our town and appreciate all that we have to offer. We are very proud of Tropea and it's rich history."

The hotel is close enough to the main parts of the city so you can walk. The surrounding properties…read moredo not look so good but the hotel is very nice. The staff was great and the room was very clean and nice. The sliding door lock was broke and the staff fixed it in the first hour. The tv is way too small 15 inches I think. The rooms don't have much of a view due to the surrounding properties. But the rooftop "garden" has a great view. We didn't try the restaurant. As you drive to the hotel you pass through a beach parking area/facility where in this case there was a mountain of garbage on the side that you had to see each time you pass and there was an abandonded building that detracts from the hotel's otherwise great image and location in the city.

This isn't just a 'favourite place'. Atelier Sul Mare is now my favourite place in the whole world…read more I can't stress enough how stunning and perfect this hotel is. If I could, I would pack up my bags right now and live here. I actually found out about it after a conversation on Qype too :-) I've never been one to stay in a hotel while I'm on a holiday. Give me a hostel, a cheap b&b and i'm happy - after all I'm not planning on spending much time there so I only really need a bed and a cup of coffee! Atelier Sul Mare is different. Oh so different. Roughly translated at the 'art hotel by the sea' you're treated to a stunning array of rooms. 25 years ago, 15 artists were asked to create hotel rooms with a difference. This is the result. It's so difficult to explain the experience. You honestly don't know what to expect when you get there. One room had a shower like a carwash. There was a room with a bed like a birds nest, one was like a fairy tale tower! When we saw that one on the website images, it looked scary, but when we saw it in real life, it was stunning - shame it wasn't free when we wanted to stay there. All of the art rooms have sea views - and these are stunning. You get a tour of the rooms each day - by moving each evening you get to experience different rooms - a clever way of the hotel keeping the rooms free, and a really great twist. it is worth moving your stuff over. All of the rooms have air con, but you won't find a TV or mini bar. That's really not the point of the hotel - if theses are on your list of must haves and you aren't willing to overlook them, them you're kinda missing the point of the hotel. The rest of the hotel is beautiful. Really stunning. there's an art gallery for goodness sake! How many hotels have one of those?! There's a great restaurant (which I've written about serperately). It's not cheap, but the food is great. There's a bar next door too. Nice enough, but they'll serve you your drink by the beach so there's not much point staying the bar! You also get use of a perfect little private beach with the bluest sea in the whole world. (My boyfriend taught me to swim in that sea, so I promise it's warm!) Don't expect any tourists around you. You're right next to a teeny town - this hotel is perfect for escapism. All this for EUR85 per person a night in September for an art room. I think standard rooms are about EUR65 and while they're stunning, I think if you're going to splash out, stay in an art room. I might just book a flight back there right now. It's the most perfect place in the world. I have such a special place in my heart for this hotel. I don't think I could ever stay in a Radisson again. Perfect. Awesome.

I had heard a lot of good things about The Art Hotel in…read moreSicily and last week when I finally got to see it and stay there I realized that what I had heard about the hotel was an understatement. In reality this place is even more wonderful that what people say about it. Being the only Art Museum Hotel in the world it provides you an experience that no other place ever can. I was given a guided tour of the hotel's art rooms and it was a great experience. The hotel is very near to the beach and the guests get free access o the fully equipped beach. The Art Hotel in Sicily is a place that I would highly recommend to everyone.

This was one of the worst experiences I've ever had with a host, his name was Dario.We had a…read moreconfirmed reservation for seven people for a special birthday dinner, and when we arrived, Timeo told us we only had a reservation for two. Instead of trying to help or even showing the slightest concern, he was unbelievably rude and dismissive. He made no effort to accommodate us, separate the group, or offer any kind of solution. He acted like we were the problem -- with a smug, condescending attitude that made the situation even worse. This was supposed to be a celebration, and Timeo's complete lack of professionalism and basic decency ruined it. The way he treated us was disgusting -- cold, disrespectful, and completely careless. If you're looking for a place that values guests or knows how to handle a simple booking, go anywhere else. Timeo should not be in hospitality -- because they have absolutely none.

We had a confirmed dinner reservation for my father's 50th birthday, a milestone we were excited to…read morecelebrate in what we thought would be a world-class setting. But when we arrived, the host stand acted like we didn't exist. They couldn't find our reservation, offered no apology, and treated us as if we were the ones who made the mistake. No ownership. No effort to fix it. Just blank stares, cold responses, and a half-hearted offer to "wait and see if something opens up." We waited over 30 minutes while other parties were seated ahead of us some who clearly walked in without reservations. My father was standing there in a suit, on his birthday, being ignored and disrespected by a hotel that supposedly prides itself on hospitality. By the time we were finally seated (with no birthday acknowledgment, by the way), the energy was completely drained. The night we had planned for months was ruined. It's one thing to mess up it happens. But the complete lack of care or accountability from the staff made it 10x worse. At this level of luxury, basic courtesy shouldn't be optional. Grand Hotel Timeo may have a beautiful view, but if you're hoping for good service or any kind of special occasion to go smoothly look elsewhere. This place failed us.

From start to finish loved this charming hotel by the water in Ortigia / Siracusa. Denise and the…read moreteam at the front desk were so warm and helpful. The location is perfect to stroll into town, walk to the water, or take boat excursions. Wish we could have stayed here longer.

Photos do not do this very special hotel justice. We were lucky enough to book the family room and…read morecouldn't believe our eyes when we walked in. Two exceptionally spacious rooms with beautiful bathrooms, high ceilings, stocked refrigerators connected through a perfect hallway that allowed both for privacy and the comfort of togetherness for our younger kids. It was fabulous. The location is lovely in perfect Ortigia, which in and of itself is such a gem. The staff offered many great restaurant recommendations and could not have been more accommodating. The breakfast was excellent - you would be hard pressed to find a person who wasn't delighted by the myriad of offerings. The hotel also has a spacious seating area to relax with wine, water, some juice and little bowls of snacks during the day, which made for a nice area to relax with our kids in the hot afternoons. A couple of teeny tiny quibbles: the tvs were so small they were unusable (wouldn't care normally but we were there during the world cup and the ball was a mere pinprick) and had very few stations, the shower floor was so incredibly slippery that my son took a nasty spill (I almost did as well, so it wasn't kid horsing around) and the parking is more expensive than it should be. The air in one of the rooms ran very cold and refused to adjust, but in a 105 degree heatwave, that was certainly preferable to the alternative. One final quibble - they use some sort of a pod machine for the coffee, which in addition to being environmentally questionable when used on a large scale, it also makes pretty low grade coffee. We'd come to enjoy our morning freshly ground lattes elsewhere, so again, though a minor quibble, I think they should switch to a standard machine to step it up just a notch. We would enthusiastically recommend this hotel to all. It's a real find.

Comfortable and friendly hotel in great location in Catania walkable to most central attractions…read more Great front desk group that speaks English and always willing to help coordinate reservations. Rooms are modern, clean and well appointed. Slept comfortably with door open to cool Mediterranean breezes to courtyard. Parking is available on street in private gated parking lot one block away €10 per day. On street available, at own risk and is also paid, at about the same rate. Lots of good food, wine, bars, shopping, and anything else short walk. To the right of the front door does get sketchy one block away. Not scary, just not good area. Go the other way, to the left :)

I had stayed there for 3 nights. they shut off the ac the day before we left both times in the…read moremiddle of the night so I had to call the front desk to turn it on at 6 am cus it was hot and humid. our room the first night was fine the second stay was not so nice. The bartender Antiono was the best!!!!

The hotel is in a very good location especially if you plan to take a bus or a ferry the next day…read more Rooms are comfortable and clean. The breakfast is awesome for those that are used to mediterranean breakfast. They have diverse cakes and pastries. I would have preferred a better price but the region is overpriced anyways.

From the owner: L'Hotel La Bussola situato nella baia di levante di Milazzo dispone di una posizione geografica…read moreprivilegiata per la vicinanza con il porto, L'albergo è il centro nevralgico per i collegamenti con isole eolie. Hotel recentemente ristrutturato dispone di 26 camere dotate di ogni comfort, di un lounge bar, un'ampia sala congressi, di un garage. E' a disposizione la tecnologia Wireless in tutte le camere, e nel centro congressi. Il Ristorante "Sofia's Bistrot" è situato in un grande loft all'interno dell'Hotel ed è altresì accessibile, con un ingresso indipendente, agli Ospiti non alloggiati. Offre soluzioni complete e personalizzate per l'organizzazione degli eventi più importanti, ed è in grado con i propri servizi, caratterizzati sempre da qualità ed efficienza, di rispondere alle esigenze sia di privati che di aziende o gruppi.

My wife and I stayed here during out last trip to Sicily... and found our favorite Boutique Hotel…read morein the world. The owners have done an absolutely beautiful job restoring and updating the building. The wide open spaces and minimalist deco amplified the stately nature of entry way. Vitorio, our concierge for the stay, was immensely helpful and very understanding of our limited Italian vocabulary. The rooms are actually quite large by European standards and was just as inviting as the foyer. The bed was more than comfortable (of course, we might have slept so soundly from all the sightseeing that day) and the bathroom equally as impressive. We hope to return soon and when we do, we'll be staying at Hotel Cavalieri.

From the owner: Hotel Cavalieri, Boutique Townhouse Hotel, 4 stars, just on the other side of the delicious island…read moreOrtigia, historical centre of Siracusa. Smart rates for direct bookers. Incl. buffet breakfast inclusive and wifi internet.